This 11 1/2″ coiled basketry tray is decorated with dyed and natural date leaves over a bundle of wild river weeds. The attached label also identifies its having been made in Pakistan. Its price was $27.
A Pima coiled basketry tray would be decorated with willow and martynia (devil’s claw) over a grass foundation. Typically there are no dyes used in Pima basketry, the start is not raised, its rim treatment is different and the back of the basket is finished differently. A Pima basket of this size would exceed $200 in price, to what degree would depend on the fineness and eveness of its weave, condition, etc.
Shops in the Southwest offer the baskets from Botswana (African) and from Pakistan for individuals to use to decorate their homes as the designs are remniscent of those created by American Indian basket makers.
Corinne Cain of www.SavvyCollector.com